Decorative torch



June 1962 J. H. GIEB 3,038,064

DECORATIVE TORCH Filed Sept. 23, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Ja'w/v 16. 4255 ATTORNEYS June 5, 1962 J. H. GIEB 3,038,064

DECORATIVE TORCH Filed Sept. 25, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 "6475/8 L/IVE INVENTOR ATTORNEY 3,038,064 Patented .iune 5, I962 nee 3,638,964 DECORATIVE TORCH John H. Gieb, 5727 Gaston Ave, Dallas, Tex. Filed Sept. 23, 1960, Ser. No. 57,980 4 Claims. (El. 240-10) This invention relates to a decorative torch, and has as its primary object the provision of an outdoor torch which may be positioned in a garden, on a patio, a lawn, or in any other desired locality which, when illuminated, will produce a dancing fox-fire type flame which is highly ornamental and decorative.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a device which is fed by natural gas, wherein the flame is non-aerated, and consumes a comparative minimum of gas per hour. a

A further important object of the invention is the. provision of means in association with such a device whereby the gas will escape from a receptacle and bubble through a fluid filled basin or bowl, and be ignited by a suitable pilot flame upon escape from the Water to produce a highly ornamental eflect. 7

An additional object of the invention is the provision of means in association withsuch a device for precluding ithe entry of water from the basin or bowl into the gas me.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and eflicient in operation, and highly ornamental, decorative, and pleasing to the eye.

Other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawing wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept,

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of one form of device embodying features of the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the burner element per se;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG. 3 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is generally indicated at a basin or bowl which may be of any desired size or shape, but which is shown, illustratively, as circular and concave downwardly. The bowl 10 may be provided with an ornamental arcuate depending rim 11, and has as its bottom a central opening through which extends a gas feed pipe 12, the latter being connected by means of an elbow 13 to a gas line 1 4. Line 14 carries a suitable shut off valve 15 which is controlled by means of a rod 16 and an operating handle 17 which is located in any convenient position either adjacent to or remote from the basin 10. Basin or bowl 10 may rest flush on the ground level G (see FIG. 2) or alternatively may be supported at any desired height thereabove by any suitable support or supports generally indicated at 18.

The pipe 12 extends through a suitable union 19 to an upright pipe 20, which extends interiorly of a housing generally indicated at 21 which includes a tubular side wall 22, which is spaced outwardly from the pipe 20, and is of substantially larger diameter. Housing 21 is closed by a top wall 23 which is suitably sealed in gas tight relation to side Wall 22 as by brazing or Welding or the like, as indicated at 24. Pipe 20 is open at the top as indicated at 25 and is positioned just below the top wall 23 and well above a series of pilot vents or openings 26, which extend through the side walls.

Wind deflecting fins or vanes 27 extend radially outwardly from the side wall 22 between the ports or vents 26, to provide wind protectors therefor.

. An annular flange 30 is secured to the bottom of side wall 22 and extends outwardly therefrom being supported by a plurality of angularly disposed braces 31 which are suitably secured to the underside of flange 30 as by means of rivets or the like 32, the lower ends of braces 31 being secured in any desired manner as by brazing at 33 to the pipe 20. The bottom of the torch 21 is open interiorly of side wall 22, as indicated at "35.

In the use and operation of the device, the basin 1t) is filled with water W to a level, as best seen in FIG. 4, about intermediate of the side wall 22 and below the ports '26. I Opening of the valve 15 by means of operating handle 17 then admits gas from the open end of pipe 25 into the interior of receptacle or torch 21, the gas being admitted under pressure from a suitable supply main, or a source of pressurized gas as desired. A certain amount of the gas escapes through the orifices 26 and is then ignited exteriorly of the side wall 22. The amount of gas which is unable to escape from the orifices 26 is less than the amount which is admitted through the pipe 20, so that the pressure interiorly of the casing or torch 21 gradually increases and forces the water level downwardly until the open bottom 35 is reached. At this time gas interiorly of the device escapes in the form of bubbles through the water beneath the flange 30, which serves to difiuse the bubbles and escapes upwardly around the flange 30 where it is ignited by the pilot formed by the burning gas extending from the orifices 26. Due to the irregularity of the escaping diffused bubbles a flickering or fox-fire eifect is produced which is highly decorated and ornamental.

The vanes 27 serve to protect the flames issuing from the orfiices 26 from the wind or the like, to preclude their going out. When the gas is turned oif by means of the valve 15, the device is, of course, extinguished. In no event can water in basin 10 reach a level at which it will flow into the open end of gas pipe 20, for the reason that the open end 25 is located well above the orifices 26, and as the water rises interiorly of side wall 22 an air cushion is formed between top wall 23 and a line below the lip or rim of the open upper end 25 of pipe 20, which cushion resists any rise in water level interiorly of the torch.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved decorative torch, which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment bereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

-I claim:

' 1. An ornamental torch comprising, in combination, a basin, a centrally disposed vertical gas inlet pipe in said basin, a tubular torch receptacle comprising an annular side wall, a closed top and an open bottom positioned over said gas inlet pipe with the top of said pipe disposed adjacent to but spaced from said closed top, said torch receptacle having a plurality of radial pilot orifices in said annular wall, said basin being filled with water to a level above said open bottom and below said orifices whereby upon ignition of gas escaping through said orifices, excess gas in said torch receptacle escapes through said open bottom and bubbles through the Water to be ignited by the flames from said pilot orifices.

2. An ornamental torch comprising, in combination, a basin, a centrally disposed vertical gas inlet pipe in said basin, a tubular torch receptacle comprising an annular side wall, a closed top and an open bottom positioned over said gas inlet pipe with the top of said pipe disposed adjacent to but spaced from said closed top, said torch receptacle having a plurality of radial pilot orifices in said annular wall, said basin being filled with water to a level above said open bottom and below said orifices whereby upon ignition of gas escaping through said orifices, excess gas in said torch receptacle escapes through said open bottom and bubbles through the water to be ignited by the flame from said pilot orifices, and an annular horizontal flange about said side wall at the bottom thereof to diffuse the gas bubbles.

3. An ornamental torch comprising, in combination, a basin, a centrally disposed vertical gas inlet pipe in said basin, a tubular torch receptacle comprising an annular side wall, a closed top and an open bottom positioned over said gas inlet pipe with the top of said pipe disposed adjacent to but spaced from said closed top, said torch receptacle having a pluralityof radial pilot orifices in said annular wall, said basin being filled with water to a level above said open bottom and below said orifices whereby upon ignition of gas escaping through said orifices excess gas in said torch receptacle escapes through said open bottom and bubbles through the water to be ignited by the flame from said pilot orifices, an annular horizontal flange about said side wall at the bottom thereof to diffuse the gas bubbles, and vertical wind breaker fins radially positioned about said side wall between adjacent orifices.

4. An ornamental torch comprising, in combination, a basin, a centrally disposed vertical gas inlet pipe in said basin, a tubular torch receptacle comprising an annular side wall, a closed top and an open bottom positioned over said gas inlet pipe with the top of said pipe disposed adjacent to but spaced from said closed top, said torch receptacle having a plurality of radial pilot orifices in said annular wall, said basin being filled with water to a level above said open bottom and below said orifices whereby upon ignition of gas escaping through said orifices, excess gas in said torch receptacle escapes through said open bottom and bubbles through the water to be ignited by the flame from said pilot orifices, an annular horizontal flange about said side wall at the bottom thereof to diffuse the gas bubbles, and a remotely positioned control valve for said gas inlet pipe.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 884,924 Helmschmied Apr. 14, 1908 1,225,241 Grupe May 8, 1917 2,335,020 Nehrich Nov. 23, 1943 2,961,859 Joy Nov. 29, 1960 

